The 2022 NBA Playoffs Semifinals continue Tuesday, May 3, with the Western Conference showdown from FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, so we bring you the best Warriors vs. Grizzlies betting pick and odds. 

Memphis welcomes Golden State for Game 2, and the Grizzlies open as small 2-point home underdogs on MyBookie Sportsbook. The Warriors are -130 moneyline favorites, while the totals sit at 226.5 points. 

The Dubs won the opener but failed to cover           

The Golden State Warriors (57-30; 44-39-4 ATS) escaped with a 117-116 victory in Game 1, but they failed to cover a 2-point spread at FedExForum. The Dubs overcame a six-point deficit from halftime, playing without Draymond Green, who was ejected for a flagrant foul. 

The Warriors shot 48.4% from the field and 36.8% from downtown (14-for-38), but they also missed seven of their 20 attempts from the free-throw line. Golden State outscored Memphis 56-44 in the paint and handed out five assists more than its opponent (31-26). 

Jordan Poole led the way for the Warriors with 31 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds in 38 minutes off the bench. Stephen Curry added 24 points and four dimes, while Klay Thompson had only 15 points on a poor 6-for-19 shooting from the field. 

The Grizzlies missed Steven Adams in Game 1                  

The Memphis Grizzlies (60-29; 56-32-1 ATS) couldn’t count on their big man in Game 1, as Steven Adams missed his second straight game due to health and safety protocols. Adams fell out of the Grizzlies’ rotation in the first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but the 6-foot-11 center was expected to play an important role against Golden State in the semifinals. 

As I’ve mentioned, the Dubs outscored the Grizzlies in the paint last Sunday. Memphis shot 43.2% from the field and 40.0% from beyond the 3-point line (16-for-40). Ja Morant led the charge for the Grizzlies with 34 points, ten assists, and nine rebounds, while Jaren Jackson Jr. posted a double-double of 33 points and ten boards. 

Memphis needs more from its role players. Desmond Bane scored nine points in Game 2, while Dillon Brooks had only eight points on a terrible 3-for-13 shooting from the field. Brandon Clarke, who’s averaged 16.5 points and 9.0 boards in the first round, accounted for 12 points, nine rebounds, and a couple of assists and steals in Game 1 against the Warriors. 

Trends:

Golden State:

  • 8-4 ATS in the last 12 games overall 

Memphis:

  • 4-7 ATS in the last 11 playoff games  

Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies Pick 

I was expecting a hard-fought battle in Game 1, but getting burned on the Warriors to cover a 2-point spread was a painful experience. Tuesday’s encounter should bring more of the same, and I have to take the Dubs once more. 

Golden State owns plenty of experience. The Warriors’ best players have made it to the conference semifinals for the seventh time in ten years. Draymond Green will help if he avoids another ejection, while Jordan Poole could be an X-factor once more. Poole has been terrific so far this postseason. 

Pick: Take Golden State Warriors -2.0 at -110    

The Total:

Game 1 went over a 220.5-point line, so the bookmakers set 226.5-point chalk for Game 2. Both teams prefer to play at a fast pace, and they recorded 101.5 possessions in the opener. However, the Warriors and Grizzlies are also capable of playing tough defense, so I lean the under. 

Eight of the last 12 meetings between the Warriors and Grizzlies have gone under the total. Also, the under is 4-2 in Memphis’ previous six contests overall, while the over is 6-1 in the Warriors’ previous seven contests at any location.  

Pick: Go under 226.5 points at -110